The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-10
DOCTORS DISAGREE.
Various Opinions Concerning the
New Treatment for Consumption.

teresting papers on the treatment Of
consumption by gaseous enemata
were read at the meeting Of the Asso-
ciaticn of American Physicians, in
Washington, last month. Drs. Il. T.
Bruen, W. Pepper and j. p. Croker
Griffith, Of this city, and Drs. f. G..
Shattuck and Henry jackson, Of
Boston, gave the results Of their ex
periments with the treatment intro
duced by DR.. i, Bergeon, of Lyons,
France. DR.. Brueu, who was the
first to apply the treatment in this
country, referred to a previous paper,
in which he gave the results of about
two months use of the method upon
twenty-five cases in the Philadelphia
Hospital. Continuing, he said:
Since April / have been able to
follow continuously fourteen Of the
first cases. Out Of the twenty-five
cases two have died. Twelve cases
remain in the same condition in
which they we're when l wrote my
paper in April-thst is to say, the
physical signs remain unchanged I;
the temperature still above normal !;
the flesh and strength not increased
after the first gain Of, say, an average
OF FIVE pounds. Yet the patients un-
deniably feel better; the process of
suppuration, with the attendant evils,
has been modi6C d, suppressed or con-
trolled, and it must be admitted that
the patients have been benefited by
the treatment. Since April I'd l
have applied the BerQeon method to
twenty-four cases 10 private practice,
and to thirteen additional hospital
cases, so that in all can present
sixty-two cases in which the treat
ment has been applied in systematic
manner.
OF these cases, DR.. Bruen said,
forty-two have been benefited, while
fifteen are reported as having shown
negative results. Among the fifteen,
however, were three cases in which
the treatment seemed 10 have de-
sidedly good effect, but their condi-
tion fuctuated so much that, for
fairness sake, he placed them on the
negative list. OF the nature OF the
results, DR.. Brueu said:
The favorable effects secured by
the treatment we're lessened cough
and expectoration aud disappearance
of the physical signs Of bronchial ca
tarrh. Together with these results
came lowered temperature and sus-
pension OF night sweats, temporary
reduction Of the pulse rate fifteen
to twenty beats, and temperature
lowered from half a degree TO one
degree during administration Of the
gas. In most OF the cases | used
the arti6cially prepared sulphur wa
ter, viz. five grains OF sulphide aud
FIVE grains chloride Of sodium to a
pint and a half Of water, and this
seems to have been the most salts
factory solution. After employing the
treatment for several weeks, 10 some
cases / have increased the proportions
OF the two salts gradually, adding
seven and a half, ten, fifteen and
twenty grains by weekly additions
but in cases in which | have failed
to secure good effects from the weak
err solutions | have derived no benefit
from increasing the strength OF the
solution. Recently | have used the
Sharon Spring sulphur water, and
adding the sulphide aud chloride OF
sodium each day. By keeping the
bottle tightly corked | have been
sble to US, the same bottle on two
consecutive days.
In none Of the cases have any in.
furious effects been observed, but L
have noted in some individuals sub
normal temperature durins the use
of the gas, and also when the stronger
solutions OF sulphide OF sodium were
used the appetite and strength Of the
patients seemed impaired aud their
spirits depressed.
Two suggestions may be given tor
the failure Of the treatment to &C.
eomplish better results. The first oil
these applies ouly TO hospital cases;
IL is impossible in large general
hospital TO secure the detailed atten'
ton 20 dict necessary 20 suit the ca
PRECIOUS appetite Of the consumpliye
In treating consumption It is abso'
lutely necessary TO Increase. the VI,
tality OF the tissues, so that they will
be uuiavorable culture media for the
bacilh.
The second suggestion is that 10
cases with inherited tendencies L
phthisis, or in those who acquire
phthisicsl tendency, there is grea'
yulnerability Of the mucous mem
branes, which ever fosters an out
break Of catarrhal processes in tn
bronchial structures. la this wa.
the good effects OF the treatment
are constantly opposed. | incline 4
think that suitable climatic environ
ment is an all important adjunct {
the proper settlement o. the value Q
Bereeon's treatment. But II is Ger
tainly an important addition TO gu
Therapeutic equipment 10 have a
agent capable Of influencing YER
markedly bronchial catarrh In s
many cases, especially the stay'a'
homes.
In word, Bergeon's method,
far As | have used II. is chiefly Walt
able in those cases OF pulmonary dil
eases attended with bronchial CT
tarrh. But | fear the trouble an
detail necessary to its successful "a
will prevent many from employir
the method, and | can easily see tn
the Limitation OF the power OF BE
geon's method will cause It often
be set aside for other plans OF trea
ment.
In conclusion, believe our efor
in the therapeutics oil phthisis shou
always be directed 20 thoss measur
which tend to establish the gener
health. rather than 10 hunt mp ~
ci6c forms Of treatment. Suitah
climatic conditions, and judicious a
meptatiou, aud appropriate person
hygiene remein, in my opinion, {
first principles in the therapeu
MANAGEMENT Of phthisis, aud BE
roons treatment should be &C
sidered an adjunct TO these.
hrs chattuc and Jackson report